WORKING VACATION
Anders bit back laughter. He'd never seen the elf so nonplussed. The toddler was insistent on climbing into Fenris' lap, however gently he tried to block her progress. Finally, sitting stiffly with his arms at his sides, he simply stared at the redheaded girl perched on his legs.
Anders couldn't hold back any longer. He ducked his head and snickered at the scene playing-out beside him. Donnic and Aveline laughed with him.
"She won't bite you, Fenris," Donnic said. "Not hard, anyway. Have you never held a child before?"
"No. This is... not in my skill-set."
The child reached a finger to the elf's chin, and touched a lyrium line. She looked up at the elf and laughed a child's perfect laugh. Fenris' face was suddenly enchanted.
He studied her with a half-smile. He touched a finger to her chin, in return. And, pulled it back quickly when her baby teeth sank into it. "She's a little fighter."
Donnic laughed. "Yes, she is. She's her mother, through and through." His pride in both his daughter and his wife couldn't be plainer.
Aveline and Donnic's home was simple, warm and comfortable. The men had come for lunch, and stayed for conversation. Both accepted Anders' silence without comment, greeting him from a distance. Fenris told them of their life with Dorian in Tevinter; the visit by the Chargers, Eve and Cullen; their own visit, so far, in Kirkwall.
The couple had heard of the people he mentioned, from Varric. They were admittedly surprised that most of his descriptions had been true.
"Really, a Qunari and a Tevinter mage? That's pretty unlikely, isn't it?" Donnic asked.
"In Tevinter, certainly. It seems the Inquisition was a melting pot, of sorts," Fenris said.
"And, this Dorian is treating you both well?" Aveline asked.
Fenris nodded, steadying the child as she got herself to her feet on his lap. "Dorian has become our brother, Aveline. We owe him our lives." The little girl faltered, and fell forward against the elf's chest. Fenris held her hands and helped her up, again. Anders sorely wished he could stop time, and keep Fenris' look of bewildered tenderness in his vision forever.
Fenris looked up to see Anders smiling wistfully at him.
"You two could adopt a child, you know," Aveline suddenly said.
The three men in the room stared at her in disbelief. Anders had a hand over his mouth, shoulders shaking.
"Love, not every couple wants a child," Donnic said, soothingly.
Fenris looked at the mage. Anders was falling over sideways in his chair, clutching his stomach, still shaking in silent laughter.
"You started this, Mage, looking at me with cow eyes while I held the child." The child in question was lying on his legs, kicking her feet into the air.
"I didn't think I wanted a child, and I'm deliriously happy," Aveline said, defensively. "Look at them. Pining over our daughter."
Fenris held the little feet to keep them from striking his face. "Your child is delightful, Aveline. No other could be as pine-inducing. I'm gratified at your confidence that we could raise a child. But, we have no desire to do so."
Anders pulled himself upright and wiped tears from his eyes.
"Pine-inducing?" Donnic asked with a grin. "Well done. Not every man can sweet-talk a proud mother so well."
Fenris suddenly frowned. He looked down at the toddler in horror. "Oh, no... Aveline!" He held his hands away from the little girl, his face scrunching. Aveline came and took her daughter from him.
"I've seen you rip the hearts from men's chests, yet you quake with fear at the smell of a dirty diaper?"
Anders collapsed into laughter, again.
Dorian was appalled when he heard the story. "Anders, that's not funny. A child's shitty diaper on your lap is no laughing matter."
Anders started laughing, again. "You two are peas in a pod."
"Better that than pee in a nappy," Dorian said. "Fenris, I applaud your courage. You wouldn't catch me cuddling a toddler."
"She was as stubbornly determined as her mother. There was nothing I could do to repel her invasion," Fenris said.
"You should have been there when Aveline suggested we adopt a child," Anders said.
Dorian joined Anders in hearty laughter. "Anders is the only adoption I need," Dorian said. "Thank the Maker, he's toilet-trained."
They met Varric for cards at the Hanged Man, several nights a week. Donnic or Aveline often joined them. Anders told Varric about Aveline suggesting they adopt a child. Varric laughed as hard as Anders had, and could barely look at Aveline after that, for breaking into laughter.
"Does the idea of a child seem that repellent to you?" Fenris asked, when they were alone.
"Repellent? No. You'd be a great parent. Protective, devoted. Me? Not so much. Kids are great, on a need-to-know basis. Watching you with that baby was adorable. Just think of our life, now. And, then with a child in it."
Fenris did. Not just of their personal limitations, but their habits. No. A child would not do either of them any good. Which would not do a child any good.
"I see your point. I didn't want a child, don't get me wrong. That baby scared me more than an armed assailant."
During the weeks they'd spent in Kirkwall, they fell into a routine. They walked the city streets daily, different routes, visiting different sites. There were still memories. Occasionally bad ones. Most of those related to Hawke. Even memories that included happy times with the man, were darkened by the knowledge of his later betrayal.
They also spent time at the Viscount's Keep. Varric welcomed their input into the city's interests. As Anders had commented at the Foundry, Varric was leaving no potential revenue unexplored. Not for greed, but for improvements.
"This city, any city, is a business at its heart. It needs to produce income to care for the the family it supports. That family is the population of Kirkwall. All of them, not just the poncey nobles in Hightown. Hence, the new neighborhood to house Darktown. The expanded efforts to help the Alienage. The port improvements. That takes cash flow. That's what I'm good at. Well, that, and storytelling."
Anders continued with his research. Although he was sure he was onto something with the Warden blight cure, he kept looking, kept hunting for more clues. On evenings that they spoke with Dorian through the Sending Crystal, he bounced ideas off of him. Dorian was settled in Minrathous, and finding his place in the Magisterium.
"You will never find a more wretched hive of wealth and tyranny," he said. "Fortunately, I've had a lifetime of training for this, just living under my parents' roof."
"Have you any allies?" Fenris asked.
"Yes, a few. Strong ones. Maevarus, of course. Oh, she'll love meeting you two. I have told her so many stories, she feels she already knows you. Some of them were actually true. You do still plan on returning to Tevinter?"
Anders and Fenris shared a smile. "Count on it, Dorian. It's good to visit, but we want to come home. I'm hoping to hear from Ferelden, at some point, about the potion. But, I'll only wait here for so long," Anders said.
"Excellent. Tell Varric he cannot keep you."
"Tell him yourself. We'll take the Sending Crystal to the Hanged Man, so you can talk with him."
Closed away in the Viscount's Villa, Dorian spoke to all three on the Crystal. Anders and Fenris listened as Varric and Dorian regaled one another with memories of the Inquisition. They were surprised to discover that Varric was related to Maevarus Tilani. Fenris wondered if the world could possibly get any smaller.
They took a few tours of duty around the city with Donnic and Aveline, to see how the Guard was handling crime in Kirkwall. There had been a significant drop, since Varric was voted Viscount. His contacts in the coterie, as well as the improvements for the Alienage and Darktown inhabitants, had decreased the petty crime. There were still smugglers and brigands, especially in outlying areas. Anders and Fenris took part in a few skirmishes on these routes, glad for the sparring matches they'd had months ago.
Varric had concerns regarding a few recent fights. He explained while they relaxed in his room at the Hanged Man.
"It's pretty organized, from what the Guard's saying. I think something big is moving in. A large operation looking to fill the vacuum in the area. I'm guessing it's set-up on the Wounded Coast, and making small incursions."
"Well, then, you'll be needing a hand in that, won't you?" came a seductive voice from the doorway.
"Rivaini!" Varric strode forward to meet Isabela's embrace. Anders and Fenris stood in surprise. She looked much as she had before, perhaps darker, still missing her pants.
"Look what the cat dragged in," he said, gesturing to the men.
"Boys!" she greeted with a grin. She moved to hug Anders, startling him. Backpedalling madly, he tripped over a chair and was caught in Fenris' arms. Varric caught a confused Isabela around the waist.
"Blondie's had a few rough years, Rivaini. Just give him smile and a wave."
Isabela tilted her head to the side with a smirk. "Well, as long as I'm not losing my charms," she quipped. "Varric didn't say anything about you, Tall, Dark and Lanky." Fenris came forward and returned her embrace.
"Isabela. You haven't changed a bit."
"Not on the outside, anyway," she grinned. She pulled out a chair from Varric's table and sat indolently. "Varric wrote that you'd been found. Hearing that was the best feeling in the world."
"He told us how hard you tried to catch up to us on the ship. We can't tell you how grateful we are," Fenris said.
"Oh, that was a wicked bit of sailing. Damn cannon. We'd have had you, if not for that."
A small, slim figure came through the door, a drink in each hand. She handed one to Isabela, planting a kiss on the pirate's lips. She looked up at the men in the room then, and dropped her drink in surprise, squealing.
"Oh! Oh! You're here! Oh, thank the Creators!"
Anders sidled to the far side of Fenris, around to the other side of the table. Fenris caught the headlong rush as Merrill threw her arms around him.
"Keep a distance from Anders, Kitten. He's a bit skittish," Isabela said.
Merrill continued gushing, but backed away and sat beside Isabela. "I feared we'd never see you again. I've prayed and prayed."
The men all took seats, Fenris shepherding Anders between Varric and himself. The mage was watching the women with sideways glances. Fenris saw that the easy comfort Anders had felt with Varric, even before he spoke to him, was absent. He tried to remember what the mage's relationship with the women had been like, before. Mildly friendly with Isabela, he thought. Antagonistic toward Merrill. Fenris, himself, had always been rude to the elf. Neither man could abide her use of blood magic. Yet, even at that, the tiny elf had been the first to act against Hawke, that fateful day.
He took Anders' hand under the table, and studied his face. The mage was nervous, looking down.
"Alright?" the elf asked him, quietly. Anders nodded.
When Fenris looked up, the elf was watching them. She wore a pleased a grin. He cleared his throat.
"I understand you knocked Hawke out with his own tankard of ale. Thank you, for that." Merrill looked surprised that he had spoken to her.
"Oh! Yes, that wasn't very nice of me, but then, he wasn't nice at all, was he?" She looked at the two, wiping at her eyes. "I'm so happy that you've come home."
Varric spoke. "Actually, Tevinter is home for them, now, Daisy. They're just here for a visit."
"So are we. We make port every time we're in the area."
"I keep telling you, you two should settle down. The Alienage could use your guidance, Daisy," Varric said.
Isabela pulled Merrill onto her lap. "Varric, quit trying to take my Kitten away from me."
"I'd never leave you, Lethallan," Merrill replied.
"I'm just a businessman trying to run a big city, Rivaini. You can't blame me for trying."
"Yes, I can. What say I borrow Bianca for my next job?"
"OK, OK. No need to play dirty."
"Speaking of play, Varric, get those cards out. Not the marked ones. You boys still play?"
Varric chuckled. "They do, and they're better than they were before. Careful what you bet."
A few hands in, and Isabela called the game.
"Anders may not speak out loud, but he's talking up a storm with Fenris, there."
Fenris smirked. He should have known Isabela would pick-up on their signals.
Varric's jaw dropped. "You have got to be shitting me! How did I not catch it?"
"It's subtle. They're good. You haven't been playing with sailors half your life, Varric. Alright, let's keep it clean, and start a new hand."
"You'd better take that card out of your boot, then," Merrill said.
"Kitten, don't tell people what I have under my clothes."
"Rivaini, what most people have under their clothes, is what you wear for clothes."
"Speaking of which," Isabela said, dealing new hands, "Fenris... I'm going to say 'green'."
"You will never give up," the elf sighed. "Let me sate your curiosity. Isabela, I wear no underclothes."
Varric snorted. "Great. Between the two of you, you're fully dressed."
Isabela's laughter rang through the room. "Oh, I just knew it! Well, that's better than any color. It's just sad this table blocks my view."
"Lethallan, don't ogle him. Can't you see, they're together?"
"Er... what?" Isabela looked confused.
"Just look at the energy between them," Merrill said.
Fenris had no idea to what energy she referred. He looked at Anders, and accepted the kiss the mage pressed to his lips. He smiled. That energy.
Isabela's jaw dropped. Grinning wickedly, she held her palm up to Varric. The dwarf grumbled, and dropped 20 sovereigns in her hand.
"You had a bet going on us?" Fenris asked.
"For over ten years, now. I knew you two would get there, eventually," the pirate said, smugly. "Good for you, sweet thing."
Several weeks later, they assembled for a job. Varric's sources confirmed the dwarf's suspicion of a gang on the Wounded Coast. Against Aveline's protests, Varric was going for the routing.
"If Bianca doesn't get a little action now and then, she gets cranky," he explained. "And, you and I can't both go. One of us has to keep the city from falling apart if the other gets killed." Gathered on the Keep's walkway were Varric, Anders, Fenris, Isabela and Merrill. "Besides, look at this party. Nothing's getting close."
"You wear that lady's luncheon-hat in the field, they'll use it for target practice," Fenris pointed out.
"I don't wear the coronet-it's a coronet-on missions, Elf."
It was much like old times. Except that the mage at Fenris' side was no longer a rival. He was the most wondrous part of the elf's own self, the most beautiful being to grace the face of Thedas. Fenris smiled at Anders as they walked on the sandy paths, taking his hand in his own. His mage smiled back. They were a bit behind the others. Anders wasn't as comfortable next to Isabela and Merrill as he was Varric.
Anders and Fenris hadn't gone outside the city, since arriving. Little had changed on the coast. The paths and caves were where they had left them. Arriving at an opening in the rocky hillside, Varric gave them more details.
"My sources say a large band is setting up shop in the deep caverns. Mixed group, doesn't seem to be part of an established organization. They're hitting in the city too often, now. Time to take them down."
Fenris was sure they had been in these caverns, before, but it was hard to tell. All the cave systems in the area seemed to look the same. Isabella was darting ahead, checking for traps and signs of the group. Finally, she darted back.
"Large group, maybe a couple dozen. They're setting up in a large cavern, around a small pool, below a water fall. We can start on an overlook, then move down when we thin them out."
It started easy. The group had been unmolested in the security of their hole, and gotten sloppy with security. The mages and Varric picked off a fair number from above, then moved down with the rest and hit them at floor-level. The group was putting up structures, and there were piles of wood, and half-finished walls to take cover behind. The battle was going relatively smoothly.
Suddenly, an explosion went off, carving a hole in the cavern floor, spraying sand and wood debris across the cavern.
"Cripes, it's dwarven explosives. Get the men by those crates!" Varric directed.
Most of their party moved in the direction of the crates in question, laying down suppressing fire, and taking them on in melee. A small round object was thrown in their general direction, and they all dove for cover. Another explosion went off.
The enemy was being cut down, with just a few holdouts dug-in near the explosives crates. As they surged forward, two more explosives flew into the air. One was coming down straight into their midst. Anders, at the back, saw it coming. He cast a protective shield over the closely gathered party ahead of him. Fenris, under the shield, heard the two explosions. Water from the pool sluiced over the shield. Another crater was blown out; the clatter of wood, stone and sand a testament to the force involved. When the shield fell, Fenris, Aveline, and Isabela overran the last two fighters, and took them down.
Fenris sheathed his blade, and turned to check on Anders. He wasn't there.
Heart in his throat, Fenris ran to the back of the battle area. It was a mess; fallen walls, splintered wood, broken rocks, a stream gushing through it all. Lying in two pieces amongst the rubble, was Anders' staff.
"Anders!" Fenris called frantically. "Anders!" Panic began to set in as the elf darted among the debris, searching for his mage.
"ANDERS!"
Fenris stood as dread filled him. His Anders was nowhere in sight. He was alone.
tbc...